Sustainable healthcare and welfare technology

Sustainable healthcare and welfare technology

Delivery institution

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Department of Natural and Health Sciences

Instructor(s):

HVM Melanie Rydgren

Start date

3 February 2026

End date

15 March 2026

Study field

CHARM priority field

Study level

Study load, ECTS

5

Short description

This course explores the intersection of healthcare and welfare technology, with a focus on sustainable development. The course examines the sustainable development goals, as well as climate change and its impacts on human health. Students will gain insight into sustainable healthcare practices and discuss the role of technology in approaches aimed at improving healthcare while minimizing environmental impact.

Full description

Please see here.

Learning outcomes

Learning objectives and expected outcomes after passing the course:
• Be able to describe what sustainable development means in relation to health and social care.
• Be able to identify the challenges of climate change and its impacts on human health
• Be able to discuss the challenges and opportunities with technology in sustainable healthcare practices

Students will gain insight into sustainable healthcare practices and discuss the role of technology in approaches aimed at improving healthcare while minimizing environmental impact.

Transferable skills:
• Knowledge in information retrieval
• Communication in English
• Collaboration skills

Course requirements

No prerequisites.

Places available

15

Course literature (compulsory or recommended):

Study material:
Thomas et al. (2022). Climate Change and the Health Sector. Taylor & Francis. (e-book) (chapter 10, 12).
Kees van Laarhoven (2023) Human and planetary health. Radbound Univeristy Press (e-book) (chapters 1, 5).
Pereno, A (2023) Sustainability in MedTech Design. Methods, Tools and Practice. (e-book) (chapters 1.1, 1.2, 2, 3.1, 4.3, conclusions).
Norman, D. 2023. Design for a better world. Meaningful, sustainable, humanity centered. London: MIT Press. (chapter 16, 22, 23, 24, 34)
Other material according to the teacher’s instructions.

Planned educational activities and teaching methods:

Course time: February 2nd-March 15th 2026.
Optional Zoom lectures:
Tue Feb 3rd at 4.30-5.30 pm (Finnish time)
Tue March 3rd at 4.30-5.30 pm (Finnish time)

Course code

HT00CU35-3002

Language

Assessment method

Final certification

Transcript of records

Assessment date

15 March 2026

Modality

Learning management System in use

Moodle (and optional Zoom)

Contact hours per week for the student:

None mandatory, 1h optional lectures

Specific regular weekly teaching day/time

Optional lectures: Tuesday 03.02 at 16:30-17:30 PM (Finnish time) and Tuesday 03.03 at 16:30-17:30 PM (Finnish time)

Time zone